CVE-2002-1215 in Heartbeat
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple format string vulnerabilities in heartbeat 0.4.9 and earlier (claimed as buffer overflows in some sources) allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via certain packets to UDP port 694 (incorrectly claimed as TCP in some sources).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-1215 represents a critical security flaw in the heartbeat daemon version 0.4.9 and earlier, which is part of the Linux-HA (High Availability) project designed to monitor system health and manage failover operations in clustered environments. This vulnerability manifests as multiple format string vulnerabilities that can be exploited through specially crafted network packets transmitted to UDP port 694, which serves as the default communication port for heartbeat traffic. The misclassification of this port as TCP in some documentation sources has contributed to confusion in security assessments and network monitoring efforts.
The technical flaw stems from improper input validation within the heartbeat daemon's packet processing routines, where format string specifiers are directly used without proper sanitization or validation of user-supplied data. When the daemon receives malformed packets containing format string characters such as %s, %d, or %x, it processes these without adequate bounds checking, leading to potential buffer overflow conditions that can be leveraged for code execution. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the daemon's handling of network communications, making it particularly dangerous in high availability environments where heartbeat daemons are critical for system reliability and failover operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, as remote attackers can exploit these format string vulnerabilities to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the heartbeat daemon process, which typically runs with elevated permissions. In clustered environments, this could lead to complete system compromise, disruption of high availability services, and potential data breaches. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows remote code execution without requiring authentication, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to gain unauthorized access to critical infrastructure. The attack vector through UDP port 694 means that systems running vulnerable heartbeat daemons are exposed to network-based attacks from any remote location, without the need for prior access to the system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1215 involve immediate patching of the heartbeat daemon to version 0.5.0 or later, where the format string vulnerabilities have been addressed through proper input validation and sanitization techniques. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to restrict access to UDP port 694, limiting the exposure of heartbeat daemons to trusted networks only. Additional protective measures include monitoring network traffic for suspicious packets targeting this port, implementing firewall rules to block unauthorized access, and conducting regular security assessments of high availability configurations. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-134, which describes format string vulnerabilities, and represents a classic example of how improper input handling can lead to remote code execution. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a remote code execution technique through network services, with potential for privilege escalation and persistence within targeted environments. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on format string exploitation attempts, as well as maintaining comprehensive incident response procedures for handling such critical vulnerabilities in production environments.